Ministry

The 21st Century Lord's Prayer

The fuller version of the Lords prayer is found in the bible in the gospel of Matthew 6:10-14, as well as a part in the gospel of Luke 11:2-4.

The Lords prayer is the most famous model prayer that Jesus teaches us. It is therefore used frequently in Christian church services, and is often prayed as a personal prayer.

What surprises me, and disappoints me, is the continued use of the older Victorian version of the Lord Prayer. I would argue that this older version means very little to the modern, young, seeker who comes into the Church. This is because the language of English changes with time, and it becomes increasingly hard to decode by young church seekers.

To be more specific the use of old English causes a double translation, one from the original text into English, and then a further translation from old English into modern English. For example "Thy will" is well known to older generations but is not in common usage outside of church circles and should now be "Your will".

I am not suggestion that those who like the older translations are wrong, they are not. The the older translations are equally valid. If you have learned an older version and are happy with it, that is all that matters. It is just that language changes with time, and we should be seeking to include the young in our use of English, and be seeker sensitive, without changing the meaning of the text. I am arguing for clarity, not confusion of the translation.

There may even be a case for looking at the 1977 modern version and updating it further, whilst keeping to the exact biblical meaning of the prayer.

The fuller version of the Lords prayer is found in the bible in the gospel of Matthew 6:10-14, and is the most famous model prayer that Jesus teaches us. It is therefore used frequently in Christian church services, and is often prayed as a personal prayer.

(The Lord's Prayer - Modern Version)

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your Kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom,
the power and the glory are yours.
Now and for ever. Amen

The prayer can be broken down into sections, and each section can be contemplated as a separate topic and thought about in greater depth.

(The new english version was adopted by the Church of England in 1977)